Foreclosure Pets Call to Action

Hat tip to Edgar AKA Buzz Saw for the following link.
STOCKTON, Calif. (AP) - The house was ravaged - its floors ripped, walls busted and lights smashed by owners who trashed their home before a bank foreclosed on it. Hidden in the wreckage was an abandoned member of the family: a starving pit bull.

The dog found by workers was too far gone to save - another example of how pets are becoming the newest victims of the nation's mortgage crisis as homeowners leave animals behind when they can no longer afford their property.
After the the owner abandoned this black lab in his foreclosed house, all that remained was claw marks across the cement floor and the door of the basement and decomposing flesh swarming with maggots.

A Belgian Malinois was found starving in an abandoned house. He survived by eating the corpse of a German Shepherd.

In a Call to Action For the Love of the Dog suggests investigating abandoned homes for signs of animals in distress.

Waiting and Dreaming of Poppies

Waiting 10 by ~rosetimour

Waiting for corn-based ethanol crops to consume the lovely field of poppies perhaps?

I dream of you by *DavidCharles

Although I've been trying to keep somewhat NSFW images on my other blogs I thought this photo was so beautiful it couldn't possibly be construed as anything but art.
More clearly NSFW poppies can be found at Zillow Book.

Not an Optimistic Finger

This is an image NotAnOptimist’s hand surgeon drew of her dislocated finger. Out of context, I thought it had a rather interesting abstract quality. In context, I don’t think it’s such a good idea for her to go skiing or play soccer until it heals. What do you think?

In other news, I forwarded an Obama endorsement MoveOn.org emailed me to my step-dad, the Clinton fanatic, and received the following response:
I rather like the fact that he chose a bored and sleepy photo of Akubi for his message. BTW, Baab officially endorses Obama in the primary. As I’ve mentioned here and there, I’ve been registered in a fringe party and switched to the Democratic Party for this one.


Also, there’s an interesting thread over at Groovy Age.

Nearly Fishnet Friday

I love this painting: Simple Boy by Mari Yamagiwa

In other weird bug news, WTF? K, I'll eat avocado before scorpions and crickets.

Lugubri-Ohs and Clinton

Miscellaneous finds in my feeds...

Dienzo's Lugubri-Ohs

South Carolina road sign

Octopus Attack

I wonder if this bikini clad vixen ends up like Mr. Potato Head...
via El Blog Ausente

Reason #31 to be happy

Whales DO Fly... by ~TotallyJesus

Adding to Mark Morford's list discussed earlier (hat tip to wagga):
A319 'Spy Plane' Joins Fight Against Antarctic Whaling
Aussies Monitoring Japanese "Scientific" Mission

Nevermind the A380... here's a true Airbus "whalejet." Australia has deployed an impressive new tool in its opposition against Japanese whaling operations in the Antarctic -- an A319 narrowbody, outfitted with advanced surveillance and imaging equipment.

The plane -- deployed along with the Customs patrol cruiser 'Oceanic Viking' -- reportedly conducted a six-hour mission Sunday, keeping an eye on what is an ostensibly scientific Japanese whaling program now underway, reports The Sydney Morning Herald.

The surveillance is an effort by the government of Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, to help build an international legal case against what many believe are illegal whale-hunting operations. The aircraft performed well -- identifying two foreign fishing vessels, according to a spokeswoman for Home Affairs Minister Bob Debus. Poor weather conditions prevented the Airbus from reaching its primary search area.

The plane is just the latest vehicle to join what has escalated into an all-out, Cold War-esque spy game in the chilly seas of the Antarctic. The conservation group Sea Shepherd -- also holding station in the area, to monitor suspected whaling operations -- reports one of its vessels, the 'Steve Irwin,' was shadowed last week by a Japanese fishing trawler.

"The Fukuyoshi Maru No. 68 is a large drag trawler," said Sea Shepherd founder Paul Watson. "It's a fast ship and can easily stay out of reach of the 'Steve Irwin'. The Sea Shepherd helicopter has flown over and it is not equipped with any fishing gear. There is evidence of electronic surveillance gear."

A Greenpeace International ship, the 'Esperanza,' is also shadowing the Japanese whaling ship 'Nisshin Maru' -- and, in turn, is being followed by the catcher ship 'Yushin Maru No. 2,' according to Greenpeace whales campaign coordinator Sara Holden. With all the spying going on, it's doubtful anyone has any time to conduct any other operations, scientific or otherwise... and that's the intent, Holden says.

"So long as they are not whaling, that's the point," she said. "The fact we are in day 10 without any whales being taken is fantastic. We suspect that the orders from Tokyo are for nobody to see them whaling. This is a delicate time for them politically."

If needed, the Aussie A319 is ready to fly other missions, according to the Home Affairs spokeswoman.

In case you were wondering, reason #30 was Vick's dogs.

BTW these relaxing, rather vintage French mp3's are pleasant as well when one is home sick with a sinus infection.
Coralie Clement - Samba De Mon Coer Qui Bat.mp3
Why does everything sound better in French?